New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee, referring to the recent cases of writers, historians and other intellectuals returning top national awards over the “growing intolerance” in the country, said on Monday:
“We must, as proud Indians, have confidence in the idea of India and the values and principles enshrined in our Constitution. India has always been able to self-correct whenever such a need has arisen.”
Mr Mukherjee paid tribute to legendary cartoonists like R.K. Laxman and Rajinder Puri, and referred to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, saying the country’s first PM used to repeatedly tell cartoonist V. Shankar not to spare him in his work. “This open-mindedness and appreciation of genuine criticism is one of the loveable traditions of our great nation, which we must preserve and strengthen,” he said.
The President noted that freedom of the press in India formed part of freedom of expression, that is guaranteed by the Constitution as a fundamental right. He said in a democracy various challenges will emerge from time to time, and these should be addressed collectively.
“We must ensure that the letter and spirit of the law always remains a living reality,” he said. Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said the press had always been free in India, except on a few occasions “about which you are all aware of”, a clear reference to the 1975-77 Emergency.
The minister, however, added these were also “testing and dangerous times” for people who speak the truth. “Paid news” and “physical harm” are tools in the hands of a few individuals who either want to muzzle the press or want the press to become their mouthpiece, he said.
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